"Chingchong, Chinese Virus" Korean-American Assaults and Acid Attacks... Surge in Hate Crimes in the US

Indiscriminate Assault in LA Koreatown
"Perpetrators Made Derogatory Remarks... Threatened to Kill"
Last April, Asian Woman Living in New York Attacked with Acid
US Congressman: "Clear Hate Crime, Must Not Be Bystanders"

Second-generation Korean American Denny Kim was indiscriminately assaulted in Koreatown, Los Angeles, California, USA. / Photo by Twitter Capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] A Korean American man in his 20s was indiscriminately assaulted in Koreatown, Los Angeles (LA), California, USA.

According to local US media reports including NBC on the 25th (local time), Danny Kim (27), a second-generation Korean American, was indiscriminately attacked by two men he encountered in Koreatown on the evening of the 16th. As a result of the assault, Kim suffered injuries including a broken nose and bruises around his eyes.

Kim explained the situation at the time, saying, "The two assailants made derogatory remarks such as 'chingchong' (a slur against Asians) and 'China virus' to me," and "They kept hitting me and threatened to kill me."

It was reported that Kim was able to escape the threat with the help of an acquaintance who happened to be passing by the scene.

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has classified the incident as a hate crime and plans to track down the suspects through CCTV footage from the area where the incident occurred and witness testimonies.

This is not the only hate crime targeting Korean Americans and other Asians in the United States. Especially as the COVID-19 pandemic has intensified, hate crimes against Asians have been on the rise.

Last April, an Asian woman residing in Brooklyn, New York City, suffered severe damage after being attacked with hydrochloric acid by an unidentified man. / Photo by New York Post website capture

According to a report by the New York Post in April last year, an Asian woman named A living in a residential area in Brooklyn, New York City, was the victim of an acid attack by an unknown man, sparking controversy.

At the time, A was attacked when she went out to throw away trash in front of her house. Due to the acid attack, A suffered second-degree burns on her upper body, face, and both hands, and was hospitalized at a local hospital for treatment.

Hate speech continued on online communities and social networking services (SNS) as well.

Last year, an Instagram account called 'AntiAsianClubNewYork' posted a message saying, "Tomorrow we plan to wipe out every Asian we meet in Chinatown with guns. That is the only way to stop the spread of COVID-19," but the post was later deleted.

As hate crimes against Asians worsen, voices calling for a strong response and measures against hate crimes are growing within the United States.

Miguel Santiago, a California State Assembly member, recently issued a statement saying, "I was outraged to hear the news. This is a clear hate crime," and emphasized, "We must not be bystanders when it comes to hate crimes."